Class Description
This training introduces participants to the principles and practices of mindfulness as they apply to the treatment of problem gambling. Mindfulness, cultivated through meditation and present-moment awareness, has been shown to improve emotional regulation, reduce impulsivity, and enhance coping with cravings. The class explores how mindfulness intersects with spirituality, stress management, and clinical interventions, offering clinicians practical tools to integrate into their work with clients experiencing gambling disorder.
Learning Objectives
- Identify at least three ways mindfulness can improve emotional regulation in individuals with gambling disorder
- List at least two connections between mindfulness and spirituality that are relevant to problem gambling treatment
- Describe four mechanisms by which mindfulness reduces gambling-related impulsivity and stress
Educational Goals
- Enhance participants’ understanding of mindfulness and its therapeutic role in treating gambling disorder
- Provide clinicians with practical strategies for integrating mindfulness-based interventions into their treatment approach
- Strengthen awareness of the connection between spirituality, mindfulness, and recovery from gambling disorder
- Promote evidence-based use of mindfulness practices for reducing cravings, impulsivity, and stress in clients with gambling-related concerns
Outline
- Introduction to Mindfulness (10 min.)
- Mindfulness and Spirituality (15 min.)
- Mechanisms of Action (20 min.)
- Mindfulness and Problem Gambling (25 min.)
- Clinical Applications and Case Discussion (15 min.)
- Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways (5 min.)